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Retrospective 2010

We’re here, standing in a brand new year. Looking at this clean and untouched canvas that will eventually be painted in all the vivid colors 2011 will offer, I am filled with excitement. But before I take the big leap and begin painting the new year with the colors of my plans and goals, I’d like to invite you to share a retrospective of 2010.

As I look back I can say that 2010 was a year of learning, of new experiences, of honing my skills and of investing money in my photography and writing to actively promote my creativity.

The steps I generally take are small but, I hope, well thought out and with a purpose. My aim is not to reach the peak in record time but to use the road that I am travelling as an important learning experience, collecting as much information and learning as many lessons along the way as I can.

In that respect 2010 was an incredible year!

My biggest goal for the year was to showcase and promote my photography more professionally. There was much to tackle and a lot to take into consideration, but with tiny steps, I was able to inch my way towards that goal. The first thing on my to do list was to create a professional-looking portfolio and once Meeta K. Wolff Photography went live, I knew my work had only just started.

It was time to place myself on the market and promote my portfolio. With the advice and motivation from friends and family I invested money in the promotion to be able reach a wider market. My aim is to acquire targeted prospective clients selectively and systematically, instead of landing projects haphazardly. This is by far the most difficult and at times frustrating aspect of the process but I am patient and benefitting from the knowledge I am able to gather.

“Patience is necessary, and one cannot reap immediately where one has sown.” ~ SørenKierkegaard

In the meantime I am enhancing my skills and learning new techniques, even if this means stepping out of my comfort zone. I want to be able to cover a variety of styles to meet the different goals and visions of clients. I took my photography down a different route in 2010 and played with natural light to discover the darker side. I wanted to create moody and temperamental images using light and filtering it into my shots to evoke the desired atmosphere. I experimented on many different levels to achieve these results.

The year started on a fantastic note with What’s For Lunch, Honey? being one of the finalist for Best European Blog at the Tenth Annual Weblog Awards. Winning would have tasted sweet but believe me I was honored that this space made the top five of that incredible list!

I love giving back what I learn and although I never imagined to take on the role of a teacher, it fills me with joy that my readers and people reach out to me for advice on photography and food styling. Making appearances on Learn Food Photography and Food Styling and Great Food Photos on the subject of food photography and styling was not only a pleasure and a lot of fun but important for me to motivate others to keep filing their skills.

The Food Blogger Connect in London opened it’s doors for the second time and provided an interesting platform for food bloggers to inform themselves on many topics. I was invited for the second time to speak on the topic of food photography and styling. It was such a pleasure meeting many friends and readers. I enjoyed another highlight as speaker last year as I had the opportunity to speak in front of many PHD students and professors at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.

Together with 3 talented and skilled bloggers, not to mention very dear friends, Jeanne, Jamie and Ilva, we laid the foundation for a workshop series of a different kind. From Plate to Page was announced and the first session here in Weimar in May 2011 sold out within two days. The second session is planned for Autumn 2011 in Italy. Our waiting list is open for this session and for the following two sessions in 2012 in the UK and France. The four of us have a very exciting programme lined up for the 10 attendees arriving in Weimar this Spring from all over the world and look forward to helping you meet your goals.

2010 was also the year where I got published. Foodies of the World was and incredible collaboration bringing together the world’s best food bloggers in one elegant cookbook and guide. Published by Slattery Media Group with love and elegance, Foodies of the World offers 100 recipes with high quality images. It was an opportunity for me to market myself on a new platform and gather information for the future.

2010 was also about fantastic friends, true friendships and loyal sisterly love. These pictures say it all!

2010 was about a-ha, epic a-ha concerts, music and ending on a high note. All shared with a sister found and never to be lost again – Jeanne. No one gets me but you!

2010 was about itchy travel feet, more breathtaking photos and finally visiting my dream destination. Dubai, London, Basel, Dresden, Berlin, Munich and Norway - all with my camera and an appetite for new flavors and tempting aromas.

I found serendipity in Norway – a glorious country where I lost my heart. Norway impressed me with the incredible and extreme variation in the landscape we experienced as we traveled from region to region. Magnificent, stunning, breathtaking, incredible - one will quickly run out of superlative adjectives to describe Norway. I look forward to returning in 2011.

As the paint begins to dry on my canvas that was 2010, I am ready to color 2011 with all the brilliant and bright colors I have in my palette. Nervous, excited, determined, happy, focused at new prospects. I’ve never made resolutions, instead I weave plans and set goals – there will be a few in 2011 with writing, photography, food and recipes – I hope you will join me.

Thank you to all my faithful readers, loyal friends, motivating fans and supporting family – without you this space would not be as colorful and as full of life as it is. I thank you for being a part of me through What’s For Lunch, Honey? and for taking time to read my stories, leave your comments and share your thoughts.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

Over at the From Plate to Page blog we are looking back and setting new goals in a four part series. Join us for part one as Ilva shares her thoughts on the Past and Future and in part two Jeanne is Looking back, Looking forward. On Wednesday I’ll be going through the Past, Present and Future Tense and Jamie will be recapping her year and sharing new goals on Friday.

I find myself with a huge grin on my face as I come to the end of your words and images... what a fabulous year you are stepping out of and what a stunning year you are entering and I cannot beging to tell you how thrilled I am to be there by your side! You, my darling friend and sister, have proven this past year just how multi-talented you are, as a stylist, photographer, writer, speaker and, may I say, friend! You deserve the world handed to you wrapped up in brightly colored ribbon! You have been an inspiration and a true friend. I love you! xo

Your words reverberate with so much energy and enthusiasm, and your optimism spread to me like a wave. You have painted 2010 in such vivid colors through your photography, and I am looking forward to seeing more beautiful colors in the months to come.You have always been an inspiration for me. Happy New Year! I wish you all the best.

My darling sister-from-another-mother - how do you manage to get me laughing and crying and breathless in awe of your photos, all at the same time? And can I say how deeply honoured I am to feature in so many of your photos, or to have been present when you took them, despite this freaking annoying ocean between us? ;)

2010 was a wild rollercoaster ride for me and I would not have wanted anybody sharing it with me but you. I'm still pissed off at the incompetent stork that CLEARLY dropped us off at the wrong houses as babies, but I thank goodness that fate (in the form of 3 Norwegian pop stars!) eventually led us to each other. I cannot WAIT to tackle 2011 with you always by my side. All I want you to know... ;o)

What a year huh? You got much achieved, made many connections and laid the groundwork for the future. So proud to call you friend and immensely happy at your success. May it continue to flourish always.

Fabulous post with both delectable photos and a joyous recap. You have an amazing eye and wonderful talent. My goal this year is to learn from you and the other fantastic food photographers. Thank you for being an inspiration.

Oh my! Thank you all so much for all you incredible and touching comments. This means a lot to me and many of you had me all teary eyed with your thoughts and wishes. Thanks for being a part of this space and for all you do and are! Hugs!

Dear Meeta ~ I simply ache, really ache inside to meet you and the other sisters. And I don't know if it's the fantasy life you all seem to live - roaming the earth, taking beautiful photos, writing lyrical posts and enjoying fabulous food. Or if it's because we're kindred spirits, like-minded in what we want to create/achieve w/our blogs & life but there's such a strong connection - even from far away. I've re-read this post three times now and every time I find a new little nugget that will carry me into 2011 with determination to be a better blogger, better writer, better photographer. May cannot get here soon enough . . . and I'm afraid I won't want to leave . . .

all that... in just ONE year ?! ;) that is an impressive list of projects, and you certainly have set the scene for yet another busy and exciting year ahead. wow !! and where oh where will your travels take you, i wonder...??

i love looking at all these photos above, so familiar to me - fun to recall each and very post. only, i wish i were able to have *tasted* each and every dish there too ! but how thrilled i am to have shared in those moments above in london. and all throughout the year via the e-waves ! the latter is sure to be a highlight of 2011 too...

ps - totally inspired by your post to do a similar retrospective on my own ! thanks !!

The thing that stayed with me the most about your blog this year was the consistent quality of the images you post. They have been memorable. Thank you for the time and effort you put into the photography, Meeta.

Beautiful recap of a fantastic year Meeta! I especially love your Kierkegaard qoute. Patience in a way is like putting your trust in the universe. Things will happen if you let them be/occur organically. I hope that it works for you! You certainly deserve it.

Happy New Year to you, Meeta. I'm following your blog even if I don't post comments very often. I admire your photos and I often prepare meals and desserts from your recipes. I wish you a colourful 2011!

Meeta, what a wonderful year you have had. I so enjoyed reading about it. I look forward to meeting you in person at one of your events, so that I can learn how to get my food photography can be as beautiful as yours...Thanks for the inspiration..

You have a lot to share from your 2010 experiences... Well it is really amazing to have all of those things in your life and I wish you more for 2011. Life is indeed full of gifts and it is amazing if we realized all of these things and be thankful.

Thank you for visiting What's For Lunch, Honey? and taking time to browse through my recipes, listen to my ramblings and enjoy my photographs. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. I will answer your questions to my best knowledge and respond to your comments as soon as possible.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy your stay here and that I was able to make this an experience for your senses.

Hello, I am Meeta a freelance food photographer, stylist and writer living in the cuturally rich city of Weimar, Germany with my husband and our son, where I enjoy preparing multi-cultural home cooked meals with fresh organic ingredients. What's for lunch, Honey? is my award winning food blog where I combine my love for food with my love for photography and styling...